? Fena 279 BG - stress response?

So I lost my Mao on Feb 1st... the weather's been nasty and I wasn't able to secure a ride to get Mao's ashes until today but I wanted to ask about Fena's behavior.

She's still OTJ - I test her 3 times a week in the morning, always in the greens - hovering 70's to 80's on average. Still on low carb wet food, tons of water.

Since Mao though she's been... different. I thought it was grief and loss at first - exceedingly clingy, crying when I'm not in sight, etc. but it's changed a bit now?

Now for whatever reason (and I hope to go it isn't because she's the lone cat) all of her eating troubles are GONE. She eats beautifully now - I don't have to chase her anymore with her dish! She loves her food, her BM's still need help with Miralax but she's.... gosh I dunno how to word it.

Energetic now, playful! It's like she's "woken up" or something... she wants to snuggle all the time still, but NOW doesn't mind if I snuggle her "too much" or maneuver her, etc. She wants to play all the time now too.

Also, her eyes are always dilated - big. To check them I shine a flashlight in her eyes and I see them change, but I read big pupils is a sign of a happy cat.... ?

I also always used to have to tell her, "do easy" with her claws even when clipped - since Mao died, I haven't had to ONCE. She insists on touching my face and my neck but NEVER with claws, like she's "petting" me back? She's just.... so much MORE hands on, in-your-face and so much more gentle.

Even now she's behind me on a bench in my living room, in one of their toy boxes - she has one of their stuffed mouse toys in her claws and keeps slapping/tapping my back with it then making happy noises to herself and playing with it.... in the going on 10 years I've had them.. her.... she's never been like this?

Anyway I had to leave the house today, the 1st time since Mao... her BG was 88 this morning (7am). I fed her, loved on her, etc. Then got ready to go. I came home and tested her around 1pm and BOOM, her BG was 279 - could this be from stress..?

In case it was I gave her some freeze dried treats and snuggled her then retested at 3pm (about 45 min ago) and she was down to 156. I'll keep watching but.... help?

 

It sure seems to be related to the absence of your other kitty. I don't think we beans are always aware of the dynamics in a multi kitty household. One kitty can be more dominant and cause another to behave in certain ways that seem to disappear once the other kitty is gone. It could also be her delight in having your undivided attention.

 

Yeah if I had to guess, Fena was always the more dominant one but she always had to share attention - first with Mao and Lucky when they were my friend's cats, then when I got them... now she's all alone and maybe she knows that?

If she's feeling good, playful, eating great I'm THRILLED but a part of me worries... like, "what if this is the good time before the bad" like I've heard can happen sometimes with animals, you know?

She just seems so different.. like, 2x herself, you know? I'll keep watch, think I'm too cautious not too.

But her BG... should I test for a few days in a row to check?

I have to make a store run soon too so I'll be testing that day especially.

 

This made me think of Willow after Jordan died. She seemed to love him, so I was so worried about how she would deal with him being gone, but she flourished. She had never once jumped up on the couch with me, but right after his death, she did. She became so much more 'interactive', so much more alive. It was crazy. That was nearly 8 years ago, so it was definitely not 'good before the bad' She and I are so attached at this point that it is ridiculous, and I seriously worry about myself when I lose her - but that is another story for another time. I hope that what you are seeing with Fena is the same type thing. Enjoy!

 

Oh, and about the BG... Willow is not diabetic, so I have no idea about how her BG may fluctuate, but I do know that she has gotten more and more attached to me as she has gotten older, and she calls out and looks for me when I am gone (per my husband). That may cause a degree of stress. You said it was the first time you had left since Mao so I assume it was the first time Fena had been totally alone. I can see where that might cause her some degree of concern/stress which could raise BG. Just keep watching her, and it should become apparent if there is anything to be concerned about.

 

Oh bless for both of your replies, thank you! I'm not usually a negative person, I promise but I do like to run scenarios, etc. so this has me feeling a lot better about what's happening. I'll still keep watching, I don't think I CAN'T... but I feel more hopeful, thank you so much and I'm so sorry for the loss of your Jordan, no matter how long ago it was - god bless you and your family! xxx

 

""Anyway I had to leave the house today, the 1st time since Mao... her BG was 88 this morning (7am). I fed her, loved on her, etc. Then got ready to go. I came home and tested her around 1pm and BOOM, her BG was 279 - could this be from stress..?"

I do recall reading that our cat's BG can spike up as high as 200 or more when stressed out, my guess would be she definitely got stressed out being left home alone for the first time ever (remember she had mao before when you went out so was never really alone in last 10yrs).. As for her suddenly changing into being a playful and overly loving kitty, i've seen behavior changes for the better like that in past when a particular cat would pass away that another cat either picked on or was iffy around. hers chances sounds by alot quickly though so parts of me thinks she is also being overly lovie and cute just for you, thinking she indeed senses your sorrow & pain and is comforting you with her cuteness and it sounds like it is working